Quite simply Marr- velous
College embraces future with redevelopment
The transformation is nothing short of culture- changing.
Copper- domed Marr College has been a feature of the Troon skyline for the past 82 years.
Now those traditional classrooms are being rejuvenated for the modern age while retaining a nod to the past with old blackboards and wooden cupboards.
They join a vast new wing – the corridor is 492 feet long – which has been skilfully stitched on to the back of the old ashlar sandstone.
This new area is light years ahead of the old “Strathclyde Region” classroom- block and gym added in the 1970s.
Paradoxically, had the ground not been owned by the Marr Trust, then this development would probably not be happening.
South Ayrshire Council and predecessor Kyle and Carrick had neglected the grim 1970s addition to such an extent – it only leased the land – that demolition or building on a new site were the only solutions.
The replacement appears like a hybrid between a corporate office HQ and a highend airport lounge.
Headteacher Elaine McGregor- Sloman proudly showed the Ayrshire Post round her new workplace last week, declaring: “I believe this is the best school in Scotland. And as head teacher, why wouldn’t I want Marr to be the best in Scotland?”
The first and major part of the £ 37 million project has just been handed over to the staff and pupils.
Aside from landscaping, the whole school, including sports hall, will be complete when pupils return from the October break.
Mrs McGregor- Sloman, in post for five years, revealed she will get the keys to the entire campus three months ahead of schedule.
But she insisted: “Marr College is not just for the pupils, it is for the whole community.
“Pupils, staff and the community had to put up with the facilities we had for a long time.
“Now everyone will be inspired into a new way of thinking.
“We are opening the doors and changing the culture.”
The new environment includes four lofty atriums, two of which were wasted open quadrangles within the 1935 school.
These spaces house a library, refectory, pleasure garden and performance areas flanked by four open “write- up” areas.
These very fluid rooms complement the eight practical science labs used for experiments.
Innovations include the ability to work from any space within the building, rather than confined to specific classrooms.
With laptops and Wi- Fi and 70- inch plasma screens which can all be linked, possibilities are vast.
During the visit, head of physics Dr Iain Spencer demonstrated his dimmable lights and electronic windows as if he were Q in James Bond. Dr Spencer used his finger to scrawl a message on to his big screen: “Welcome to your beautiful shiny new Marr College.”
And as Mrs McGregor- Sloman admitted: “In my day I did music and movement in my plimsolls with a blue transistor radio.”
Councillor Margaret Toner, who has the education brief, joined the tour and revealed her two sons and daughter were educated at Marr.
She said: “I knew the school well and I am delighted the best features have all been retained.
“The work being done here is simply outstanding.”
There are no designated staff rooms and even the toilets are shared by boys and girls – the old loos struggled to provide water.
The four- roomed medical centre looks as if it could cope with an Ebola outbreak, there are pupil showers, three lifts and even a laundry.
A landmark area of the new wing is The Meeting Room, with floor- to- ceiling glass overlooking the Darley golf course.
The head, who deliberately chose a smaller office next to it rather than a grand space in the original building, said: “This is my favourite area and can be used by anyone in the wider community.
“And being available to community is very important to our new way of operating.”
Her second favourite spot is the full chef’s production kitchen, all gleaming stainless steel with serious looking Masterchef- style mixers, which will also